The Ideal Gas Law

Gas Variables
Recall the 4 measurable gas quantities:

quantity symbol
1.
2.
3.
4.

When finished competing this slide, check key on slide # 11

 Named Gas Laws
Considering the KMT, we can predict relationships
between pairs of these variables.
These relationships are known as the
Named Gas Laws.

Write the name and relationship for each of the

following pairs of variables (remember the KMT!!):
P and V V and T P and T
P and n V and n (key on slide # 12)
 Ideal Gas Equation
Each of these (named law) relationships is
a special case of a more general
relationship known as the Ideal Gas
Law.

Combine the 5 “named” relationships into

a single proportional relationship…….
The Ideal Gas Law

P α nT/V
or
PV α nT
 The Ideal Gas Equation
We can convert this “proportionality” (α) to an
equation (=) by incorporating a constant:

PV = nRT

This is the ideal gas equation. The constant is

“R”, aka the universal gas constant.
R – the Universal Gas Constant
The constant, R , will have different values,
depending on the units used to express the
4 variables, P, V, T, and n (particularly P!).

Variable Unit(s)
Volume liters (L)
Temperature kelvin
Pressure atm, kPa, mm Hg, torr
amount mole
 R - values and pressure units
PV = nRT and R = PV/nT

Units of R Value of R Units of P

L x atm/mol x K 0.0821 atm
L x kPa/mol x K 8.314 kPa
L x mmHg/mol x K 62.4 mmHg
L x torr/mol x K 62.4 torr
 R – Values for 1 mole at STP
Let’s derive the value of R for -

1 mole of a gas at STP

using the following units:

P atm
V L
T K
n mol
 R – Value for 1 mole at STP
Recall, at STP: P = 1 atm
T = 273.15 K
and 1 mol occupies 22.4 L (V)

PV = nRT
R = PV/nT
R = (1 atm)(22.4 L)
(1 mol)(273.15K)
R = 0.0821 L atm/mol K
 Measurable Gas Variables
Quantity Symbol

1. Pressure P
2. Volume V
3. Temperature T
4. Amount of gas n
 Named Gas Laws

Boyle’s Law P α 1/V

Charles’ Law V α T
Gay-Lussac’s Law P α T
Avogadro’s Law V α n
no-name P α n
 Practice
When you have completed this lesson, proceed
to the “Gas Law Practice” worksheet and solve
the 7 problems. Key is available!